What to watch in Penn State spring football practice

Check out five positions of focus as Penn State begins spring football drills.

A year ago, Penn State center Angelo Mangiro began spring practice without knowing how James Franklin wanted to conduct a huddle. The two reflected on that during a conversation this week.

"It's amazing to think just Year 2 in general how much different it is in every aspect," the Penn State coach said.

Franklin and Penn State on Friday will begin their second set of spring drills well ahead of where they were last year. The team returns 15 starters, is close to full scholarship level and knows the huddle commands by heart.

Now, the Lions look to construct a safer place for quarterback Christian Hackenberg to operate within, along with finding new contributors at defensive end and kicker. Here's a look at five positions in focus this spring:

1. Offensive line

Franklin called the prospect of fielding a true two-deep "exciting," since the Lions basically ran seven linemen last year. Of their progress through winter conditioning, Franklin offered this encouraging note.

"There's nobody that is happier about this group returning and the strides they've made than Mr. and Mrs. Hackenberg," the coach said.

Left tackle is a notable position up for grabs this spring, with the early draft departure of Donovan Smith. One prospect is redshirt sophomore Andrew Nelson, who started at right tackle last season. Offensive line coach Herb Hand noted Nelson's progressive improvement through the year.

Other options are former walk-on Albert Hall, a converted tight end who played in 12 games last year, and junior-college transfer Paris Palmer, who checks in at 6-7, 290.

2. Running back

It's first-look time for Franklin's talented trio of running backs who redshirted last year. That will mean plenty of competition for Akeel Lynch.

Lynch, a redshirt junior who rushed for 678 yards last year, likely will top-line the rotation, though Franklin likes his group of redshirt freshmen. Johnathan Thomas, Nick Scott and Mark Allen bring different sizes and skills to the backfield.

Franklin called Thomas (5-11, 215) the "big, physical guy," Allen (5-7, 182) the "quick scat back" and Scott (5-11, 196) a combination of the two. In addition, Whitehall High's Saquon Barkley has a chance to get into a three-back rotation when he arrives in June.

"There are some guys coming in [this summer] who are going to be able to create some challenges and competition during camp," Franklin said. "We'll wait till camp to discuss those things. We're excited about the guys we have now and what they're going to be able to bring to the table. I know they're hungry."

3. Defensive end

Anthony Zettel and Austin Johnson are firm inside, but their primary companion edge-rushers will be new. But this often is a position in which lesser-known players can assert themselves quickly.

Take, for instance, Carl Nassib. The 270-pound senior played in Penn State's ends rotation last year, delivering 31/2 tackles for loss and forcing a fumble. Franklin called Nassib "Mr. Consistent" and praised his strength and athleticism.

In fact, the coach raved about his ends in general, most of whom made significant offseason strides. Evan Schwan, Garrett Sickels and Curtis Cothran all played last season. Franklin also singled out redshirt freshman Torrence Brown, among his finds in Alabama, as one to watch.

"What's exciting about our defensive ends is, as big as they are, they still look skinny, and they're moving better," Franklin said. "So all of their agility, all their 40 times, went down, and they all put on between 12 and 15 pounds."

4. No. 2 quarterback

Once Trace McSorley landed the spot behind Hackenberg, that left Michael O'Connor on the outside. Bill O'Brien's IMG Academy prodigy, who is from Canada, ultimately transferred to the University of British Columbia.

Last year, Franklin said, McSorley gave the first-team defense "fits" during two-minute drills. He did that while not having a truly effective second-team offensive line to work behind.

Now, McSorley begins an interesting season in which he might challenge to start quicker than anticipated. Hackenberg will have the option of turning pro after next season, leaving the door open for McSorley, who would have two seasons in Franklin's system.

"I know everybody inside our program — the coaches, the players, the strength staff — have been very pleased with him," Franklin said. "… He has a chance to extend plays, make the throws. He's a winner as you saw with his high school record. He's picked up the offense very well."

5. Kickers

Sam Ficken's last two years will be difficult to replace effectively, particularly with Penn State's specialists situation. The Lions have six walk-on kickers on the roster, the product of their recruiting approach with limited scholarships last year.

Had Penn State known its scholarships would be restored (and that it could count the five early enrollees to last year's recruiting class), it might have pursued a scholarship kicker. Instead, Franklin said punter Chris Gulla will return to his natural spot as placekicker, where he's the leading candidate to replace Ficken.

But there are many competitive options. Among them are Yannik Haller, who is from Switzerland, and Joey Julius, a 244-pound kicker from Lower Dauphin. Franklin said Julius' nickname is "Big Toe."